The people will only know if someone chooses to tell them. If they are told, great. If they are not told, I do not believe that this diminishes the impact.

Do they benefit? I benefited. Sometimes I knew and sometimes I didn't. Either way, I still benefited. That's all the proof I need. Some people pray, some do metta. I even had monks banging on gongs and chanting my name (apparently it's a hard one to chant). I didn't find out about that until well after the fact, and the monks made no effort to inform me that they were doing this for me. I didn't know any of them, but they found out about my situation through a friend of a friend....

Do I benefit from writing someone's name on my hand and sending out positive vibes to them? Yes, I do. You've heard the saying, "The more you give, the more you get." I don't chant. Writing names on my hand and doing the WOD is what I do. Sometimes you know when someone is praying/chanting/sweating for you, and sometimes you don't. Regardless, the impact is still there.

When I knew that people had my name written on their hands, it provided a huge morale boost. Even if I couldn't do a WOD because I was too sick, someone out there was doing one for me. But if I didn't know, the benefit was still there. If anyone chooses to think that the benefit only accrues when the beneficiary knows about it, I'm fine with that. I don't agree, but that's what makes the world go 'round.

By the way, I do hope that this will be a highly participatory thread. You can write these names on your hand too!

Shannon's on my hand and I'm off to do Michael.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel Chapman

Robert,

This is interesting. I am a bit confused, though. I ask these questions so that I can better understand your situation and for what you are asking.

Do the people (whose names are written on your hand) know that their names are written on your hand? Do they benefit from this? Do you benefit from this, and if so what are the benefits? When your name was written on someone else's hand, did you know about it at the time? Would you like describe how this helped you?

My sister Cyndi had an emergency c-section on Mother's Day after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. She was in ICU for 9 days with multiple serious consequences associated with the HELLP Syndrome. She was finally put in a regular hospital room last night, the issue is now she is in Acute Kidney Failure and on Dialysis. I would be honored if you wrote her name on your hand for your next workout! I will do the same!

(P.S. I was a GYN oncology nurse for 12 years before I opened my CrossFit Affiliate and admire you for being able to do CrossFit while on Chemo. . . that is TOUGH!)

My 20yo neice JAYME is severely inflicted with cerebral palsy and has now been in the hospital for 4weeks for what was at first increased seizure activity, then pancreatitis, then gallstones. She's now at the UCD Medical Center undering multiple tests to try to determine what is causing her constant involuntary movements - so much movement that on ICU doc commented it's like she running a marathon and is afraid her heart will eventually fail. She's on sedatives, seizure meds and paralytics to keep her calm.

As many prayers and CF WOD's in her name will certainly send positive vibes her way. Thanks!

Also to say that tomorrow's WOD I will have my Uncle Gerry's name on my hand. Gerry is in end stage pulmonary fibrosis. He's so central in my family that my wife danced the first dance (after me of course) at our wedding reception with him.

I would like to add a name: Kristina Pineda. She is a good friend of mine who was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She turned 30 last week. Thanks for this Robert. I wish you the best of luck in your own recovery.